Archive for January, 2009

Tips For Running An Effective Email Marketing Campaign

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

It seems that what emerged as sound email principles and etiquette apply just as well to email marketing. But its not just email marketing… it’s effective email marketing.

Where previously formal letters and faxes used to be the way to communicate with clients and potential customers, the shift to the ’softcopy’ world of the Web has meant that this same type of communication would have to happen in a format pertinent to this new venue. Email and email marketing asserted itself as the prime method of contact then. From brochures to customer support, everything can now take place through a few types on the keyboard and few clicks of the mouse.

However, there still is a protocol and a proper manner for effective email marketing:

- Be clear

Email is a shortened form of communication. There is no space for flowery and overtly ego-soothing language. Basic courtesy applies, like proper greetings and such, but on the whole, emails should be short and clear. Get to the point as soon as possible. Let your recipient know what is expected of him, what he stands to gain through this communication, and how he can gain it (for example, what he has to do, such as be within the first hundred to visit a site and thus earn a discount)

- Offer value, not information

Provide incentive for the email reader to read and click through. Add value to your communication. Attract and seduce. Don’t be surprised a boring, hum-drum email is deleted as soon as the recipient reads the first few lines. Entice, and do not provide too much information in the content. The website is there for this purpose. The email is for communication.

- Prefer text

Graphics take long to load and often emails with graphics and attachments are deleted immediately or go to a junk mail folder.

- Label your images if you use them.

Some people get only the text in an email in their browser. If you include graphics but fail to label them, the whole message may not make sense or the reader may not be enticed. Providing labels lets him know what stands at such a place in the message.

- Use a hook

You should aim to catch the attention of your reader from the first line itself. A good hook works then. Its message should be relevant and clear so that the customer can then immediately decide to read on or not. Remember that a reader is won through the first few lines itself.

- Support the hook

In the body of your email, use relevant information to support your hook and its message. However, be concise, as this isn’t an opportunity for an info dump. Your information should simply reinforce your hook.

- Be short and concise

Readers won’t read every word that is down in an email. They usually scan the thing in whole. Use the space you have succinctly to maximize the opportunity to grasp the reader.

- Provide the most important information first

Make efficient use of the top space of your email. Many readers read email through a preview pane. The top third of your email will be displayed in this pane, and based on this information, a reader may decide to read the full or delete the message already.

- Use a legible and easy to grasp format

- Arrange your text in a manner that is pleasant to the eye.

- Delineate text and paragraphs using hyphens or lines.

- Use legible font such as Georgia and Verdana in a readable size.

- Use bullets and lists to more clearly define your message so it can be grasped at first glance.

- Use the active voice

The active voice ‘involves’ the reader in the message and pushes him to react.

- Know your audience

And write accordingly with appropriate wording and information.

- Avoid URLs that are too long

Such addresses in emails can be difficult to click as they lose their link when they are ‘broken’ onto 2 or more lines.

Aim to have a URL on its own line. If needed, shrink the text for the link. Or you can offer the address without a hyperlink but as a ‘copy and paste’ option.

- Avoid caps and excessive use of punctuation marks

That’s basic email etiquette, which carries forward into your business communication.

- Offer an option to unsubscribe

Always offer a ‘way out’ for your recipients. An unsubscribe link is expected to be seen at the bottom of the email.

Providing your recipient with the option to continue receiving emails or to terminate the reception shows caring and courtesy to the reader.

Also ensure that an unsubscription is effective immediately.

- Easy to subscribe as well

Make it easy to subscribe as well. Provide links and offer a way to your guest book or how to provide comments and feedback. This shows consideration on your behalf.

It is also a good idea to let your readers know that they are free to forward the email as well.

- Make it easy to change subscription address

This way, if a client or recipient changes his address, he can make sure the email follows as well.

- Make good use of your subject line

The headline of your message should go in the subject box, as this is the first glimpse recipients will have to your email. Use it judiciously to convey information.

- Address your recipients by their name

This shows consideration and a personal touch. You definitely win over more people through a personalized message than through an impersonal mass bundling.

- Avoid in holiday periods

This time is often holiday from emails too, so keep email marketing communications to the minimum too.

You could however send out a message with the holiday’s greetings and best wishes.

- Consistency with corporate design

Having the same kind of layout and formatting as your website and other business communication supports ensures that someone recognizes your email at first glance too.

Once you have found the right template/format, use it every time.

- An email address that says who you are

People are more apt to trust a message with a From line containing information about who you are and where you’re from. This will also prevent your email from being listed as spam and from ending in the junk email folder.

- The landing page should fit the email and the offer

Make sure you are leading your reader to the right destination through the links provided in the message.

People hate wasting their time, and if this happens even once, you stand the risk of losing credibility.

By tailoring your landing page for links, you also make better use of your website to further engage the customer’s interest.

- Motivate newsletter sign up with a freebie or bonus

Offer something in return as an incentive. This could win you a lot of new subscriptions.

- Have good multimedia if you are using it

If you are using audio or video, make sure they are of good quality and can be accessed easily.

- Reply to requests within 24 hours

This is basically common courtesy but it pays to be recalled. Ensuring prompt replies show you care and value your customers.

- Email should be service oriented, not marketing oriented as with paper

Your aim through email marketing is to inform and provide an ‘easy’ access to your company.

- Customize so it doesn’t look like spam

Make sure your message is unique in its content and format so it isn’t brushed off as spam.

- Offer user control if possible

Wherever possible, give your reader the opportunity to tailor your communications to him. People are most apt to listen to the information they have asked for.

- Provide contact information for you

Always provide a way of contacting you. The signature in emails is one of your greatest effective email marketing assets.

By making use of these email marketing tips, you should be able to create a successful and effective email marketing campaign.

Matt Henderson, owner of MyOnlineSuccess.com, is an affiliate marketing guide and coach for beginners. To learn how you can start your own online business visit http://www.myonlinesuccess.com

What To Look For In A Second Hand Car

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

With the economy the way it is these days, people are opting for used vehicles as a more cost effective alternative to a new car. Unfortunately, if you don’t know what to look for in a used car, you are more likely to end up spending even more money in the long run. This is why it is important to educate yourself before purchasing a vehicle that isn’t new.

Having a mechanic that you trust take a look at any car you are interested in buying is a good way to go. This ensures that you know just what you are looking at in terms of replacement parts and most hidden problems will be found during a routine inspection.

Upkeep and Maintenance

It’s a good idea to buy a car that has been well looked after. That means a vehicle that is neat and clean, not just on the outside, but inside, as well. You’ll be able to tell whether the upkeep has been good or if they just did a last minute cleaning to impress you. The interior should be in good condition, free of too much wear and tear. Look for rips in the vinyl and seat covers.

Check under the hood. If the car body is clean but the engine compartment hasn’t been touched in years, you’ll know that the maintenance hasn’t been great and there could be plenty of hidden issues here. You can also compare the odometer to the maintenance stickers that are on the windows.

Take the time to run the VIN number to see what the vehicle’s history is like. If it’s been in an accident or had any major problems, these will show up when you check the number. Knowing the history of a used car can be invaluable, since it will let you know what to expect in the future. A vehicle that has been in an accident could be host to a number of problems that might not be apparent until later on.

Signs That a Car Has Been in an Accident

Obviously, if a vehicle has been in an accident, you want to know about it. Accidents can cause serious problems that may go undetected, such as twisting of the frame or even weakening of vital parts like the axle. Here are some signs that you should be watching for:

A new paint job. Look for overspray on the trim or very new appearing paint.

New paint on one particular area. If a quarter panel appears to have been recently painted, while the rest of the car looks normal, this could be a bad sign.

Wrinkled metal. Watch for areas that may not be as smooth as the rest of the vehicle . . . they could mark where repairs were made. Dents may have been pounded out or a more temporary repair may have been made.

These could all be signs that the car has been fixed after an accident. Whether or not it was a major accident or just a fender bender . . . you’ll need to check further into it.

Taking a Test Drive

Actually driving the car will give you far more information than just looking at it. Once you have had a chance to start it up and take it out on the road to get up to speed, you’ll have a pretty good idea of whether or not the car runs well. A few things to check for:

How the car starts. Does it start easily and stay running on its own or do you need to pump the gas to keep it going?

How does the vehicle shift? If it’s an automatic transmission, does it shift correctly or does it tend to rev high and seem reluctant to switch? Manual transmissions should be fairly easy to shift and not jerk or stick. Check how the clutch works . . . it should require firm pressure but not require being stomped into the floor.

Notice how the car feels and sounds. If there are any abnormal sounds like grinding, squealing or other unusual noises, this could indicate problems that will need to be fixed in the near future. The same goes for vibrations and jerks that shouldn’t be there. Use all your senses to notice if there is anything that could be wrong.

Is it comfortable for you to drive? Some vehicles just aren’t made for tall or short people and can be uncomfortable. Make sure that you can adjust everything according to your height so that you are comfortable. If the car doesn’t fit you, then it might be best to look for another used vehicle instead.

Buying a used car just makes sense when you’re on a budget. On average, used cars are about half the price of a brand new one, with older vehicles dropping incrementally in price. This means that there are some huge savings to be had, but you do need to make sure that the used car you buy is in good condition and can be used for years to come without major repairs needed. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a mechanic do an inspection.

Another thing to look for in older cars is the gas mileage. While gas prices are down again for the time being, that doesn’t mean they will stay down, so you’ll need to make sure that you look for a vehicle that has relatively good gas mileage. Otherwise, you’ll probably be regretting it down the road!

There are many reasons to choose a car that has had previous owners. As long as you are careful to inspect the vehicle and make sure that there is nothing wrong with it that you don’t mind fixing. Make sure that it’s a comfortable vehicle for you to drive and that there is no history of accidents (this can be done by checking the VIN number) and you should have a great new-to-you car to drive!

This article was written on behalf of AutoLeeg, a popular auto classifieds website.

Conventional Versus Online Casino Roulette Game

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

Out of all the casino games available to play today casino roulette is one of the oldest and most popular betting games in the world. A roulette table in a conventional casino has a red and black colored wheel. People have to bet on the numbers (37 in European roulette whereas 38 in American roulette) given on the wheel or series of numbers or colors or odd/even numbers. A croupier spins the wheel in one direction and a ball in the other direction. The ball spins along with the roulette wheel covering the whole circumference. Eventually the ball loses speed and falls on a number slot on the wheel. The casino roulette dealer gives out the winning number and puts a marker on the winning area on the roulette table so everyone can easily see if they have won or not. No bet can be placed at this time. Finally the winning money is handed out and the dealer sweeps away the losing bets.

Playing an online version of casino roulette at one of the hundreds of great casinos with the game is more or less similar to that of playing in a real Vegas style casino. The only thing is that you will not have to drive around for hours to find a casino offering a roulette game or make any special arrangements and dress up for the occasion. But for online roulette you just need a computer and Internet connectivity. With these you can start playing the game from anywhere or from the comfort of your own home.

While you are playing online roulette you have to register yourself on a site offering the online game. The betting obviously cannot be done with real chips. Here you have to click on the ‘virtual chips’ and collect them on your screen instead of stacking them on the table as you do in a casino. On the net there is no option for spinning the wheel or ball. Therefore the ball placement is decided by a piece of sophisticated software called a Random Number Generator.

The best way to learn the game of roulette and the strategies is to join online roulette table. A number of sites offer free registration. Here you can have the fun and excitement of the casino roulette without having to spend money while you learn. In a conventional casino you will not have an option to learn without losing some money. The only option will be to observe others while the game is on.

Playing casino roulette is one of the most exciting form of gambling. For this reason and like all gambling games it can be addictive. While you may not have an access to a casino always, online roulette is available to you whenever you want. So, one has to be careful to keep the gambling streak under control. The atmosphere of fun and excitement that you get in a real casino is absent when you play from home. Nevertheless whether played in a casino or online roulette can be a most thrilling experience.

The writer of this article likes games that are purely luck based like casino roulette online and slots games, please visit the super casino roulette website for the UK for more to read.

What Is GeneWize Life Sciences?

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

Many new multi level marketing systems seem to pop up almost everywhere just like mushrooms. This makes it even more difficult for a lot of people to decide on whether one MLM opportunity would be the best for them or not. However, although there are a lot of new comers in the industry, you should not underestimate them, since some of them actually have good offers, such as GeneWize Life Sciences.

Wise Beginnings

Just like other MLM ventures today, GeneWize is backed up by a fully established company. It’s actually a fully-owned subordinate of Gene Link Inc., which is a company specializing in genetic biosciences. Generally, the company markets itself as a beauty, health, and wellness company that specializes in products that have excellent quality, which are supported by DNA-based genetic tests that makes the goods customized and even more suitable for their users. The company aims to deliver personalized solutions in the fields of beauty, health and wellness and their goal is to aid people in feeling and looking better, to have healthier and even longer lives.

The Main Principle

The company pays emphasis and importance on the effects that a person’s genes has on his/her overall state of being. Each person in the world has their own set of DNA, which is your genetic blueprint and is responsible for making you look like what you are now. According to research, body chemistry is genetically determined. The company believes that by targeting certain genes, you can achieve a big change not merely on how you digest your food to make use of nutrients, but even also on how your body reacts to internal conditions, physical activity, environmental pressures and a lot more other factors.

Considering all the possible factors and problems faced by humanity today, GeneWize Life Sciences wanted to utilize the technology and knowledge that their company has in order to produce personalized health products just for the market.

Money Making Opportunity

There are various ways on how you can make money with GeneWize. Generally, there are four methods, namely: retail sales, two-team bonus, matching bonus and company pools & incentives.

Retail Sales: This method works whenever a customer purchases a LifeMap Nutrition System, then you will get a retail profit. If you get to enroll four people, then you wouldn’t have to pay anything anymore.

Two-Team Bonus: Whenever you enroll other Affiliates, they would be placed into either your right or left sales team. During the end of the week all your Affiliates’ sales volume would be summed up. You’ll earn ten to twenty percent of your smaller team’s business volume. This is regardless on wherever the volume comes from; you’d still have 10%-20% of the final team business volume.

Matching Bonus: Other than the Two-Team Bonus you’ll also get income from the Enroller Tree, which is based on the people you have enrolled and their enrollees too. No placement is needed. Each month you’ll get the matching check bonus ranging from 10%t to 40% of the 2-Team Bonus.

Incentives & Company Pools: GeneWize also offers shares and incentives in bonus pools that are based on ranking and performance. So, if you’re an active member and has good performance, then you’re probably up for a pretty high incentive during pay period.

To learn more about GeneWize and how to grow this business in ways most network marketers will never know, follow the link in the resource box now.

Kevin Tyler Smith is an expert Internet marketer. “Give Me Just 31 Minutes Of Your Time And I’ll Share With You How My ‘Secret Morning Checklist’ Generates 1,201 Leads, Creates 117+ Autopilot Recruits At The Push Of A Button Every Single Month” >>> www.TheQuantumWealthProject.com Learn more about Kevin here >>> www.KevinTylerSmith.com

Eco-friendly Way to Clean a Refrigerator

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

We have all done it; put some leftover fish or meat in the refrigerator and forgot it was there. Oh, the smell those leftovers can provoke! Removing those types of smells can seem to be a difficult, if not impossible task.

Following these simple suggestions will eliminate those odors. Even if you have left the refrigerator door open and all the food is rotten inside, these tricks will return your refrigerator to that new smell. No longer will the stench of rotten meat greet you when you open the door.

The first order of business is to remove everything that is in the refrigerator. This is a good time to check the labels on everything for an expiration date. Throw away all the expired and spoiled foods.

This would be a good time to learn about composting and what food products can be added to a compost pile. Spoiled vegetables could be added to a compost system, but it is not advisable to add spoiled meat.

Spoiled food contains all sorts of microorganisms, so be sure and wash your hands thoroughly after handling anything spoiled.

Place anything that is still edible into a cooler to keep it cold while you clean the refrigerator. If you think the items will be out for a while, add ice to the cooler.

Start by removing and cleaning all the shelves and drawers. In most refrigerators, they come out easily and can be cleaned in the sink. Just remember to mark them so you know how they go back into the refrigerator. Always use eco-friendly cleaning products. Harsh chemicals have no place in a refrigerator.

Check for panels that are removable, often times food drips lurk behind these panels. Wipe down all the walls and floors of the refrigerator, even the hard to reach areas.

If you have an especially strong odor in the refrigerator, purchasing freshly ground coffee or activated charcoal may help. The use of activated charcoal is a long standing method of removing odors, but use it with caution; it may stain your refrigerator.

Newspaper is also often used as an odor absorbent, so place a layer of newspaper on the refrigerator shelf and then spread the freshly ground coffee or charcoal on a tray on top of the newspaper. Close your refrigerator door, and leave it closed for at least 24 to 48 hours.

After that time, discard the charcoal or coffee. Coffee grinds and activated charcoal (not the type of charcoal used for barbeque grills) are great for the garden, so be sure and compost them.

Replace the food into the refrigerator, as the smell should have been removed. Go to the grocery store and purchase a box of baking soda. Open the top of the box and place it in your refrigerator. This will also help remove odors. Replace the box monthly or as recommended on the manufacturer’s label.

Some other natural products that will help with the smell are lemons, or fresh lavender or eucalyptus leaves. These products will leave your refrigerator with a natural earthy scent.

When leaving your refrigerator for an extended length of time, clean the refrigerator after removing all the food. The last thing you need to do is leave food to spoil in a refrigerator without power.

Always leave the refrigerator door open a bit when leaving it unplugged for a long time. Placing a towel over the open door will keep it from being shut accidently, and trapping moisture inside. Even a clean refrigerator will begin to smell if it gets warm inside and the door is closed.

To keep you refrigerator smelling good, always use sealed containers to store food. You will also want to make it a habit to regularly check the expiration dates on food goods so they don’t hang around after they are expired. Always date food that you put in the refrigerator so you don’t forget how long they have been in there. Don’t rely on your memory.

Here is another trick to consider if you are leaving your refrigerator running for an extended time while you are away. Place a bowl of loose ice cubes in the freezer. When you return home, check that the ice is still in cube shapes. If they have melted, you may have had an extended power failure and the food you left in the refrigerator is most likely spoiled.

Beverly Saltonstall is an environmental writer. Visit http://pollutionwebsite.com for news, podcasts, articles and guides covering many aspects of pollution. To understand pollution, read “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Pollution, But Never Dared to Ask”. (available on website)

Life Insurance As An Investment In Your Future

Saturday, January 31st, 2009

When my older brother suffered stroke and is hospitalized for almost a month, I experienced what it like is to have a family member as a patient. Suffering a stroke is a problem in itself, but add to that, the expenses, stress, the time and energy spent, you have a much bigger problem. If you are not prepared, you could be overwhelmed. This grim reality, prompted me to do something for myself.

Though I already have a life insurance, I decided to look for one more as the current life insurance provides very limited protection. It’s just a life insurance without hospitalization benefits. Getting the right insurance is a daunting task given the number insurance companies to choose from. Which one really offers the best insurance quotes? There are lots of websites allowing users to search insurance providers by area. These websites are helpful as users can have a list of insurance companies and compare which one fits their needs.

After inquiring in several insurance companies, took Sun Life Flexi Link. Flexi Link is a variable life insurance offered by Sun Life Financial, which is member of Sun Life Canada (Philippines) Inc. Sun Life Canada is a respected brand in the insurance industry.

The policy I took has an annual premium of $2,000 and a death benefit of $500,000. The insurance is payable until age 88, I have an option to go for holiday premium though. What I like about this insurance policy is the hospitalization and disability protection. The hospitalization and disability allowance is $350 per day. The hospitalization allowance is doubled if I happen to be confined in the ICU, GOD forbid. The maximum number of days the allowance can be provided is 1,000 days. That’s already 1 million PHP, what more can I say? In case of total disability, the premium is automatically waived. As far as I’m concerned this is the insurance that best fits my needs. But to tell you frankly, I got more than just protection. I got an investment.

The insurance policy allows top ups that are invested in bonds and stocks. I opted to add a $2,0000 top up. The amount can be invested in balanced, bond, equity and money market funds. Of these, I’m interested in balanced and equity funds. But with the current financial turmoil in the US, I have chosen to invest 100% in the balanced fund. A balanced fund is a mixture of debt and equity securities investment. Equity is purely stocks. Based on the average annual compounded return for 3 years showed to me, balanced fund’s performance is 24.93% while that of equity fund is 24.95%. There’s not much difference and generally balanced fund is considered a much safer investment.

If you look at it, with this policy I already have a death benefit, plus hospitalization and disability protection. And my premiums earn money better than that of a time deposit. I don’t even have to deposit a large amount for one time as I pay premiums annually. Insurance is a very good investment. With the proper insurance search tools you can get the best life insurance providers.

Get insurance quotes and compare the Best CD Rates (Certificate of Deposit Rates), Online Savings Accounts, Credit Cards, Mortgage Rates, and Bank reviews.